The Death of the California Dream
Claire Vaye Watkins’ debut novel takes place in a Golden State turned endless desert.
BY LAUREN O'NEALOCT 05, 2015
Ever since gold first gleamed in the water at Sutter’s Mill, coming to California has represented a particularly glittery iteration of the American dream. On the sunny shores of land wrested first from Native Americans and then from Spanish colonists, you can have it all: a two-car garage and warm weather, upward mobility and palm trees. As every Hollywood star and filthy rich startup founder (and Don Draper) knows, there’s no better place to become the somebody you’ve always wanted to be.